Locations

The HZI is continuously building a network of closely aligned strategic partnerships with universities, research institutions and hospitals. Its primary objective is to create synergies which establish the optimal conditions for an efficient transfer of knowledge from basic research to medical application: HZI Locations.

The Strategy of the HZI

Learn more about how the HZI, with its translational focus, will help to facilitate a faster and more targeted approach when it comes to fighting and preventing existing, emerging or recurring infectious diseases.

Working at the HZI

Around 900 employees in research, administration and infrastructure, and about 220 visiting scientists from 40 different countries are employed at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research. To ensure top quality research we need top quality employees. Your creativity and innovative capabilities are the basis for the long-term success of our work. That's why we undertake a great deal to attract the best people to us. Learn more about this.

Feature

Systems BiologyThe goal of systems biology is to describe the dynamic processes of life and of biological systems using mathematical models. In line with the foundation of the new Braunschweig Integrated Centre of Systems Biology (BRICS) we have compiled some background information about systems biology for you: To the systems biology feature.

Innate Immunity and Viral Evasion

If a virus attacks us, our immune system registers this attack and starts a whole chain of reactions. Messengers initiate the release of cellular proteins, through which our cells prevent the spread of viruses – known as antiviral factors. However, some viruses have developed very effective strategies against these antiviral factors, so that the self-protection mechanism of the cells is ultimately insufficient to defend against the infection. Wanted: new antiviral factors which can fight off even these viruses – of which HIV is one.

Leader

Prof Dr Christine Goffinet

Prof Dr Christine Goffinet

The investigation of antiviral factors of the first line of defence opens a new perspective for antiviral strategies – particularly for persistent viruses such as HIV and HCV.

Prof Dr Christine Goffinet

Christine Goffinet

Christine Goffinet received her initial training in Molecular Biology and Microbiology during her Biology studies at the University of Hamburg. 2004, she joined the laboratory group of Prof. Oliver Keppler at the Department of Infectious Diseases of the University of Heidelberg. During her doctoral studies, she worked on the characterization and advancement of the human CD4/human CCR5-transgenic rat model for HIVinfection.

During subsequent postdoctoral studies in Prof. Oliver Keppler's group, her research focused on the then recently identified HIV-1 restriction factor CD317/tetherin. 2010, she accepted an Independent Junior Research Group leader position at the Institute of Molecular Virology of the University of Ulm, headed by Prof. Kirchhoff. Her group investigates various aspects of HIVinfection, including the ability of cellular proteins to impede HIV replication and mechanisms of cell-mediated sensing of HIVinfection.

Since 2013, as Junior Professor at MHH, she is leading the research group "Innate immunity and viral evasion" at the Institute for Experimental Virology at TWINCORE.